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How to Delete a Video from Facebook: The Definitive Guide

So, you’ve got a video on Facebook that you want gone. Maybe it’s an embarrassing throwback, a poorly recorded clip, or simply no longer relevant. Whatever the reason, you’re in the right place. Deleting a video from Facebook is a straightforward process, but there are a few nuances to be aware of. Let’s dive in!

The direct answer: To delete a video from Facebook, navigate to the video on your profile or page, click the three dots (ellipsis) located near the video, and select “Delete.” Confirm your choice to permanently remove the video. It’s a quick fix, but before you hit that delete button, let’s explore the process in detail and answer some common questions.

Steps to Delete a Video from Facebook (Detailed)

The process is similar whether you’re on a desktop or mobile device, but let’s cover both:

Deleting on Desktop

Navigate to Your Profile or Page: Log in to Facebook and go to the profile or page where the video is located.
Find the Video: Locate the video you want to delete. It might be in your “Videos” section, or you may have to scroll through your timeline to find it.
Access the Options Menu: Once you’ve found the video, look for the three dots (ellipsis) in the top right corner of the post containing the video. Click on these dots.
Select “Delete”: A dropdown menu will appear. From this menu, select the option labeled “Delete“.
Confirm Deletion: A confirmation window will pop up asking if you are sure you want to delete the video. Click “Delete Video” or a similarly worded confirmation button to proceed.
Video Gone: The video will be immediately removed from Facebook.

Deleting on Mobile (iOS & Android)

Open the Facebook App: Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet.
Go to Your Profile or Page: Navigate to the profile or page containing the video. This usually involves tapping your profile picture in the app and then selecting “Profile” or “Your Page”.
Find the Video: Scroll through your timeline or visit the “Videos” section to locate the video you want to delete.
Tap the Ellipsis: Locate the three dots (ellipsis), usually in the upper right corner of the video post. Tap these dots.
Select “Delete”: A menu will appear at the bottom or top of the screen. Choose “Delete Post“. Since the post contains only the video, it effectively deletes the video.
Confirm Deletion: A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap “Delete” or a similar confirmation button to finalize the deletion.
Video Removed: The video will be deleted from Facebook.

Important Considerations Before Deleting

Permanent Action: Deleting a video is a permanent action. Once you delete it, you can’t retrieve it through Facebook. Be absolutely sure you want to remove it before proceeding.
Backups: If the video is important to you, consider downloading a copy to your computer or phone before deleting it. Facebook allows you to download your own videos. (See FAQs)
Shared Videos: If the video was shared by someone else and you delete it from your profile, it won’t necessarily remove it from the other person’s timeline. They would need to delete their own share.
Tagging: Removing the video from your profile doesn’t remove it if you’re simply tagged in someone else’s video. You’ll need to untag yourself.
Archiving as an Alternative: If you’re unsure about deleting the video, consider archiving it. Archiving removes the video from your timeline but keeps it accessible to you in a private archive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Deleting Facebook Videos

Here are some common questions about deleting videos on Facebook, designed to provide comprehensive clarity.

FAQ 1: Can I recover a deleted video on Facebook?

No, once a video is deleted from Facebook, it is generally irretrievable. Facebook doesn’t offer a “recycle bin” or undelete function for videos. That’s why it’s crucial to be absolutely certain before hitting that delete button! Download the video first if you think you may need it later.

FAQ 2: How do I download a video from Facebook before deleting it?

To download your own video:

Desktop: Go to the video, click the three dots (ellipsis), and select “Download“.
Mobile: Go to the video, tap the three dots (ellipsis), and select “Save to Phone” or a similar option. This saves a copy of the video to your device.

FAQ 3: What’s the difference between deleting a video and untagging myself from a video?

Deleting removes the video from your profile entirely. Untagging removes your name from a video that someone else posted. The video still exists on Facebook, just without your tag.

FAQ 4: If I delete a video from my page, does it delete it from groups where I shared it?

No. Deleting a video from your page will not automatically delete it from any Facebook groups where you shared it. You’ll need to go into each group individually and delete the shared post.

FAQ 5: How do I delete multiple videos at once on Facebook?

Unfortunately, Facebook does not offer a direct way to delete multiple videos simultaneously. You have to delete them one by one following the steps outlined above. It can be tedious, but it’s the only option.

FAQ 6: Can I delete a video that someone else posted of me?

No. You can’t directly delete a video that someone else posted. However, you can:

Ask the poster to remove it. This is the most straightforward approach.
Report the video to Facebook if it violates their community standards (e.g., harassment, privacy violations).
Untag yourself from the video.

FAQ 7: Does deleting a video remove it from Facebook’s servers completely?

While the video is removed from your profile and is no longer publicly accessible, it’s difficult to know for sure whether Facebook completely removes it from their servers. Data retention policies are complex and vary. The video may exist on the servers for backup purposes or other internal reasons, though it won’t be accessible to you or other users.

FAQ 8: Can I hide a video from my timeline instead of deleting it?

Yes. Facebook allows you to hide videos from your timeline. To do this:

Go to the video post.
Click the three dots (ellipsis).
Select “Hide from Timeline“. This will prevent the video from appearing in your timeline, but it will still be accessible through your videos section.

FAQ 9: What happens if I delete a video that’s part of an album?

Deleting a video from an album removes it from the album and from your profile’s video section. The steps to delete a video from an album are the same as deleting from your profile.

FAQ 10: Is there a way to permanently archive all my videos on Facebook?

While you can’t permanently archive all your videos at once through a single feature, you can download all your Facebook data, including your videos. This creates a downloadable archive you can store offline. To do this, go to your Facebook settings, select “Your Facebook Information,” and then “Download Your Information.”

FAQ 11: Will deleting a video affect my account’s reputation or standing with Facebook?

No, deleting a video in itself will not negatively affect your account’s reputation. However, if the video violated Facebook’s community standards, the initial violation (before you deleted it) might have already triggered some form of warning or restriction on your account.

FAQ 12: After deleting a video, how long does it take for it to disappear from search results?

It usually takes a short time (minutes to a few hours) for a deleted video to disappear from Facebook search results. However, it may take longer for it to disappear from external search engines like Google, as they need to recrawl and update their indexes.